ALBANY, NEW YORK - A jury today voted to convict Zhi “David" Zeng, age 33, of Brooklyn, New York, of transporting aliens in the United States for the purpose of financial gain, following a 3-day trial.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; Chief Patrol Agent John C. Pfeifer, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector; and Kevin M. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The evidence at trial showed that Zeng, a lawful permanent resident of the United States who is a citizen of China, picked up and transported two illegal aliens (Chinese citizens) from the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation in Hogansburg, New York, on August 8, 2016. Zeng was to receive a cash payment for transporting the illegal aliens. Border Patrol Agents arrested him on August 8, 2016 in Fort Covington, New York. The investigation demonstrated that Zeng had made a prior smuggling trip in July 2016, during which he transported two individuals from the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation to New York City.
Zeng faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years when he is sentenced on Aug. 14, 2018 by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol and HSI, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
